Key Risks in Cross-Border E-Commerce: A Full-Link Test from Regulations to Delivery  

The risks of cross-border e-commerce stem from both policy compliance and multiple uncertainties in the market and fulfillment chain.  

At the policy and regulatory level, requirements on tariffs, certifications, environmental standards, and labeling vary significantly across countries/regions and are frequently adjusted. Tax rules and intellectual property compliance also demand meticulous handling. On the market side, demand fluctuations, exchange rate volatility, and global competition combine to compress pricing and profit margins.  

Challenges in fulfillment are more direct: cross-border logistics face customs inspections, in-transit losses, and unstable delivery times, while after-sales services involve international returns, exchanges, and repairs—poor handling can easily lead to negative reviews and additional costs. Regarding funds and data, multi-currency payments and cross-border settlement paths are complex, and poorly managed transaction or personal data stored by platforms and merchants pose leakage and compliance risks. In supply chain and inventory management, supply stability, new product iterations, and stocking strategies determine the likelihood of shortages or overstocking, affecting cash flow and turnover rates.  

From an industry perspective, cross-border e-commerce remains on an upward trajectory. Public data shows that China’s cross-border e-commerce imports and exports have grown from less than 1% of total foreign trade before 2018 to around 5% in recent years. According to the General Administration of Customs, cross-border e-commerce trade reached 1.1 trillion yuan in the first half of 2023, up 16% year-on-year, with exports at 821 billion yuan and imports at 276 billion yuan. Behind this growth, the demands for risk management are only increasing.